County’s ghosts are put on notice

They are called Buffalo Mountain Paranormal
Research and Investigations and are based near Liverpool. Founder
Michelle Thompson can handle the gentle kidding, but she is serious
about what they do. “We are not whackos,” she said.

The pretty and diminutive mother of two
girls, Thompson said their main goal is to document extraordinary
events. “Once we rule out everything normal and rule out all the
possible explanations, the only thing left is the paranormal.”

She founded the group after having been a
member of a similar group in Halifax. There currently are five members.
They have a set of bylaws that set limits for their conduct and they
operate by a strict set of rules.

When they are called to a home where odd
things are happening, doors closing for no reason, keys jingling with no
one around, sounds when no one is in the room, they investigate by
formula using modern technology.

They have electromagnetic field meters to
detect a presence, electronic voice phenomena equipment to record sounds
and other things.

Bet you didn’t know that ghost hunters
have arrived in Perry County. They are ready to find the goblins in the
attic and the gremlins in the basement and have been looking under beds
and behind curtains for some time now.

Thompson has heard music, been touched,
heard whispers like a conversation she couldn’t quite make out and had
doors slam while in the field. “I got a shadow person on video and
another group actually got a full body image on their thermo-imaging
camera,” she said. “I wish I could afford one because there are exciting
things going on in this field.”

“I’ve always been interested in the
subject; kind of wondered what’s out there,” Thompson said. “I come from
a strict religious background, maybe stricter than the average and the
church always said dipping into the paranormal was wrong. But I have a
very strong religious belief, too, and I think what I do is OK.

“We don’t deal with witchcraft, the
occult, Ouija boards,” she continued. “We are fine with people who
especially are sensitive and can see or feel the paranormal. We do
believe there are entirely different worlds out there, demonic forces
and evangelized. I’ve actually walked into homes where I felt demonic
forces and it made me physically sick. I will recommend someone to help
them, but it’s not me.”

One place the group has been actively
investigating is the Old Stone Castle in New Germantown where owner
Robert Wolfgang has courteously allowed them full rein. “He’s been a
real doll,” she said.

The place has a history. A woman named
Mary hanged herself in the attic while suffering from postpartum
depression. “We have talked to her and she was depressed. One time when
we left, we said, ‘Thanks Mary,’ and we heard her say, ‘Bye’ very
distinctively.”

Thompson welcomes interest in the group,
either in becoming a member or in some other area. Readers may reach her
at 877-9310 or mhtom@yahoo.com.